Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-01-26
rHRCITY CAMPAIGN TO REACH ITS CLIMAX
TOMORROW.
Some Of the Methods Used BY Republicans L
Secure VOtss-CaPtIn Toms Nunsr-
Gus and Varied Promises.

l to be the SUBJECT Vi CohNeRSaIiOh, N"S
people who on previous occasions oil
the kind seemed to take no interest
have rolled up their sleeves and pitched
in, rs it were, to work for their respective
candidates. While the Mayoralty and
Sergeancy appear to be the principal points
of contest, there is deep and quiet tight
on the Council tickets, and both parties
are working like beavers for the respective
candidates. Never did the Republican
party work harder to carry Council, and
they do not seem to care if they do lose
the two principal offices on the ticket
if they can only make Council Re
publican; and their fight is mainly against
men who have done more for the city's
interests than any members OF their party
They seem to have grasped the general idea
of the Republican party in this State,
which is to down their most dangerous
enemies, no matter what benefit they may
be to the community. That is only the
more reason he should be defeated.
THEIR UNDERHANDED METHODS.
This campaign has been conducted or
the part of the IatslligeRcer in manner
that has disguised many citizens and Re
publicans. That paper has heaped person
| al abuse on the Democratic candidates day
after day, and even goes so far rs Il
charge them with using Doodle and beer
This is quite laughable to the observan'
citizen. Probably they consider the Re
publican party degree or so too high toned
To use Doodle and beer, and dignity
it with using dollar and whiSkey methods
to secure votes. Whether their party has
been we'll heeled from some source
or not is unknown, but II get
ting up Tackets OF all kinds tC
amuse the boys and capture their votes
costs the Republican candidates schedule
prices, then their supply of funds must bt
inexhaustible. Plain, ordinary everyday
beer drinking is no circumstance, either
i'm point of cost or hilarious dissipation
COMPARED with some of the entertainments
furnished by one Republican candidate IL
particular. Then the hteligsReer, which
has been harping on the morality OF thell
candidates, has the nerve to get of the fol
lowing editOrially:
There is no chance whatever for
third ticket this time. The nominees o
one or the other of the old parties will b
chosen. Do the moral men of Wheeling
prefer Seabright and Porter Smith t
Dovener and Bennett? This is the prac
teal question"
Now if the moral voters of this city come
right down to purely moral question anC
decide between these candidates, what mar
will not prefer the two first named. 1t Ii
4 bad thing to drag the question of can
dIdate' s morality into q city campaign, but
the Iatelligencer seems to possess warm
desire to defeat their two leading candi
dates by making their moral standing thu
point of issue, and the REGISTER Is moth
ING 10th to follow in its wake.
The Republicans are making desperate
attempt and are leaving no stone un
turned to defeat the reelection OF Hon
Alfred Caldwell for FirstBranch Of Council
from the First ward, and they are using
the same argument that the Intelligence
uses to accomplish that purpose. Mr.
Caldwell is charged with being interested
in several enterprises beneficial To the city
rs an argument against his candidacy tO
reelection. This is novel eleCtiOneerins
dodge. and one which will have the opposite
effect from that intended. Public spirited
and enterpriSing Citizens-men who strive
10 build up and foster the community
are the sort most needed in Council, anC
n an intelligent public will see that they
get there. The HteiiigeReCr Is not thump
ing q corpse when it attacks Mr.. Caldwell
BENEFITS ELECTIONEERING SCHEMES.
Il looks very much as if Capt. Rennet
is making more promises to secure vote
than he would be able to fulfill were he t.
secure and retain the office for severa
terms Some of his promises are very rash
too. Since his statement that he nor non,
of his emissaries had approached officers o.
the police force and made OvertureS Il
them. n number of instances have been re
lated to the REGISTER which Captain Ton
should be cOgniZant OF. On one occasion,
il is alleged, he went to a certain citizen
who under his reign had run poker room
and told him that if he would leav,
off working for Captain Smith
and transfer his influence to hin
(Bennett) he would insure him that h,
could run his room again if he wanted tC
and he would guarantee him immunity
from pull during his term OF Office. The cit
izen was too much Of a Democrat, and toe
shrewd to be caught by any such prom
Use, and refused.
lie evidently knew the Captain, for thu
same narrator says Bennett shortly
after that met gentleman in the
cigar busineSs-a man who irown$
down such pleasures rs gambling
and drinking, and informed him that il
he would desert Captain Smith and help
secure his (Bennett's) election, he would
profit by the experience he gained when
occupying the office before, and would
clear the city of gambling houses and al
dens of iuiguity. He didn't catch on them,
either. This gives one an idea of the varie'
gated promises Capt. Tom il making, and
sets one to wondering how he is going Il
fulfill them all.
Notwithstanding Mr.. Benefits state.
ment to the contrary, although for Ger
tain reason he may not remember 1t, he
went to an officer in the Second ward and
insinuated to him that if he
would be neutral in the campaign
he would be retained on the force in case
he were elected. On the night Of the
primaries Captain Bennett in company
with q friend named Cunningham,
met two officers in the Second ward market
house and eOnversed with them about the
election and the officers told Captain Ben
nett if he were elected they were ready to
steptdown and out gracefully. Then the
two left, and pretty soon Cunningham re,
| turned to the officers and said:
You fellows keep your id mouths
shut, and we'll fix you all right"
1t is evident he was given leave by Ben.
nett to say this.
Another case occurred in AriOn Hall
some time since. A certain well-knOwn
Sixth ward Republican WAS talking about
the election, and remarked that he was
working for the reelection of Capt. Smith,
mainly because he wanted to see
Officer Tom Killeen kept on the force.
One of Captain Benefits workers WAS IN
the party, and, it is said he went out,
hunted the Captain up and told him Of
| the matter, for he shortly afterwards